Intentions of IGGY Project: 

 The current human race has asked more fundamental questions since it coexisted with COVID-19 in 2022. In other words, the core of the IGGY Project is to find a common denominator rather than the difference between you and me through modern technology and present reflective time to the audience based on 'Iggy theory(이기론)', form Korean traditional philosopher, Lee Hwang, during the Joseon Dynasty, 16C.

 Based on his belief, 'Every particle is fundamentally the same in the world', I focused on one of the deepest inherited factors from all human beings.

 Accordingly, this generative and interactive project is based on a different input data format from the beginning, based on human thermal energy.

 Through the IGGY Project, I wanted to design the moment for the audiences with the fundamental and common energy beneath every human surface and hoped to deliver a self-reflective moment by appreciating the storytelling they are creating from the observer's point of view with them.

Lastly, with the help of digital formatting, I would like to develop this project in two practical directions in the COVID era. 

 

Research:  

 First of all, I had a chance to visit South Korea during the pandemic situation in 2021. During the journey, I luckily got time to research ‘Iggy theory” more in-depth in an original text with the help of Kyujanggak, the Joseon emperor’s library since early 15c located in Seoul. 

 After the process, I practically studied the atmosphere regarding the COVID situation in the country. Specifically, how they prevent and detect the danger related to current viruses from one of the points of East-Asian’s side. In the time, I have got to know about ‘Infrared Thermal Image sensing Machines’ and was inspired by the technology at the same time. Cause it has not been familiar with in the Western centuries rather South Korea. 

 At the same time, I visited 6-8, a local generative artist group in Korea, after contacting them in advance, solving most of the practical design questions with technical limitations.

 However, there were many restrictions on obtaining a thermal camera in the UK, so when visiting Korea, it was carried out by visiting a company and completing a purchase report and order for use and receiving it to the UK.

 At the same time as these processes, non-face-to-face video interviews in Korea and the UK continued to collect information on "essential human temperature" in depth to subjects of various age groups from more than ten countries. In addition, I think this process was an exceptional opportunity to confirm the difference in perception between Asia and the West prior to the study.

 Also, after coming back to the UK, I was preoccupied with machine learning and graphic development to solve and upgrade technical problems in the project. Finally, I planned to design an exhibition after IRP practically. Thus, I directly participated in the demand survey of the future market through the current NFT market situation to obtain specific information on the needs of the audience and companies.

 In conclusion, this project has been considerably developed both in theoretical and practical manners. 

 

Evaluation: 

   Prior to the evaluation, it will begin from the current completed stage. 

    Aesthetic: The theme of 'body temperature', which has become more empathetic in the current century, was conveyed to the audience through the modern authentic technology and fashionable graphics. This will be a work that allows them to experience a unique identity in real-time without difficulty, even before giving them time for self-examination.

    Philosophy & Ethics: It is of significance that the essence of the subject matter, which was most sensitive to the pandemic period, was derived from topics that could break down the racial, age, border, and gender boundaries. Furthermore, it is a unique project in that it breaks down the boundary between the audience and the primary author, and the method of participation also has a difference from the existing art market.

 In conclusion, this project has been developed both on At the same time, the extraction and reimplementation from the Korean traditional theory through a digital way drive audiences more communicative than the theory itself.

References: 

1. Walter Benjamin, The arcades project / Walter Benjamin ; translated by Howard Eiland and Kevin McLaughlin ; prepared on the basis of the German volume edited by Rolf Tiedemann, ISBN: 9780674043268, Cambridge, Mass : Belknap Press, 1999.

 

2. Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, ISBN: 9780141963426, 0141963425, Penguin Books Limited, 7 August 2008,

 

3. The Comparision of "the unity of Li Qi" and "the subtle coexistence between Li and Qi”, Hong, (사)율곡연구원(구 사단법인 율곡학회), 율곡학연구, Vol.31 No.- [2015], Page 43-65,  2015, S.Korea

 

4. 퇴계와 고봉, 편지를 쓰다(Letters from Lee Hwang and Go Bong), 퇴계 이황, 소나무, ISBN: 897139319X, S.Korea, 2003

 

5. Josephy, Svea, Johannesburg, 2nd Greatest City after Paris: reflections on photographing Hermann Kallenbach's Johannesburg through the lens of Walter Benjamin's Arcades in the age of digital reproduction, Critical African studies, Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Page: 186-202, Date: 05, 03, 2020.

 

6. Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and simulation, ISBN: 9780472065219, 0472065211, University of Michigan Press, 1994